Soul Decisions

by Casey Harvell

  Gabe smiles weakly down at me. “Hey, babe.”

  I sob and laugh all at once. “How?”

  He shakes his head. “I don’t know.”

  “Can you walk?” I ask and help him sit up.

  “I can help then. Didn’t find this room until now.” Jack pops in.

  “Where’ve you been?” I ask and feel Gabe bristle behind me despite his weak state.

  “Releasing all the poor bastards in the pods, then—where’d you think?” Jack says quickly, his accent thick enough to make me think the whiskey is still in effect.

  “Gabe, this is my brother, Jack. It’s a long story for another time, but he can help you. I have to—“

  “Go.” Gabe confirms before I can say it.

  Enough is enough.

  It’s time for Elias to pay the piper.

  I don’t poof back. I don’t run. I walk a steady pace. One full of determination. One full of anger.

  One full of righteousness.

  I feel my father’s presence as I know he feels my approach. I may not be able to freeze him or toss him with my abilities alone, but he can’t seem to with me either. I can strengthen myself enough to beat him physically, though.

  And that’s my plan.

  As I step over everyone that’s fallen, my rage and power grow. I round the corner to find Elias moments away from decapitating Cyrus. I pick up a nearby shield and toss it with enough force that it takes off Elias’ entire forearm. He screams in pain while Cyrus goes free, plucking the hand off him in disgust.

  “Find the survivors and get them out of here. Start with my mom, please.” I beg Cyrus as Elias ties off his arm to stop the bleeding.

  Cyrus doesn’t answer with words, but grabs my mom and takes off. Elias grips one end of his makeshift bandage with his teeth and pulls it tight.

  “You’re going to pay for that.” Elias says to me with such intensity that it almost scares me.

  Almost. “By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be gone. If it must be in pieces, then so be it.”

  There’s a flash of... pride maybe through his eyes before he swings. I block it and give him a hard jab to his side. It takes his breath and he falls back a few steps to recover.

  I’ve had no formal training, other than goofing off with Cyrus a bit, but I have two things going for me right now: I’m strong, and I’m pissed. Really, really pissed.

  I can tell Elias studies me, tries to formulate a plan. He knows that I surpass his strength now. And I’m not sure what I have to do to stop him from destroying, you know, everything—but I’m pretty sure not letting him leave this room is a damn good start.

  It’s not a short fight, nor an easy one. We both land significant blows, set on nothing less than the blood of the other.

  In the background Cyrus sneaks in a few times, and out with others without taking Elias’ notice When I see Gabe and Jack and they approach quickly, I motion for them to run, but it’s too late. Elias tosses Gabe like a ragdoll and simultaneously catches me with a mean right hook in the temple. I see Gabe struggle to get up and Jack close in on Elias as he follows through with an uppercut.

  The right hook has me sluggish so the uppercut comes through unblocked, and I feel the world crumble away into blackness just in time to see Jack go for Elias’ throat.

  I blink my eyes open. My head hurts and it makes my vision fuzzy. It takes a moment to adjust. I go to move and realize I’m not able to. Restraints that I can’t see bind me to where I lie. A turn of my head shows a fire, Elias, and some old-ass looking items on a mat.

  This can’t be good.

  “You can’t do this.” I try to reason with him while I struggle against the restraints. I use force and my abilities to no avail. “Think about this. You’re going to destroy everything. What will you have left?”

  Elias scoffs. “You think that matters? You think I’m not included in everything?”

  “Then why?” I ask, my heart breaking for all the lives about to be lost across so many dimensions.

  “It’s time for a new birth. And the prophecy dictates the leader of that rebirth will lead the new world with all the ancient power bestowed upon them.”

  “All of this for power.”

  “No, all of this to reset it all,” Elias grows angry now. “You’re not here for your opinions or commentary.” He comes over and places a piece of tape over my mouth. I give up on trying to speak quickly, the stickiness making sound ineffectual and my lips feel gross.

  Around me there’s no one else, which gives me a small bit of hope that maybe—even if it’s just for the next few minutes—everyone else is okay. That they’re together and that they know we all tried our best.

  It just wasn’t enough to stop him.

  It just wasn’t enough to stop the end.

  All I can do is watch in horror as Elias as he methodologically conducts the ancient spell as routine as if he’s making a pot of coffee. It’s not his determination in the matter that bothers me so much as his calmness. To me it shows how truly psychotic his nature is.

  As my vision clears more of his tools come into focus. Some I recall from Maddy and Mom’s little iMax basement apocalypse presentation.

  This is it. This is the end and there’s nothing I can do other than sit here and watch it.

  I start to think about everything this man—my freaking father for Chrissake—has taken from me. Only now, in this moment with my throbbing head, all I can find is sadness, pain, and loss. The anger is gone, the rage spent too soon and all for nothing.

  Elias begins to chant. He tosses something from a small copper bowl into the fire and it begins to burn an unnatural shade of red and purple. The words change and grow louder, and so do the flames. Elias stops talking when he approaches me with a small bowl and a knife. When I realize his intention, there’s nothing to be done.

  The blade pierces the skin above my left heel. It hurts like all hell and I can feel the warmth drip from it. Elias stands there for a while, long after I can hear the blood begin to drop into itself in the bowl. He then returns to his chants and fire, leaving me to drip out, unable to move or speak, helpless and alone.

  My blood becomes the paint for his face and chest before he sips some and tosses the rest into the flame. If I had the strength to vomit or even shudder I would, but I don’t. Everything is kind of cold and numb feeling, like when you’re leg falls asleep only it’s not just my leg, it’s my everything.

  My mind attempts to fumble through its exhaustion, inly everything grows hazy. It’s possibly the worst time ever to admit it, but I don’t know what to do. I’m all out of ideas, plans, tricks, abilities, and now energy.

  I give up.

  The flames rise to mammoth proportions, their heat intense yet somehow innocuous. The edges of my vision begin to fade to black, the coldness engulfs me, and I know it’s not just the end of everything that’s near.

  It’s the end of me.

  Despite every choice that’s led me here, every decision, I wouldn’t change it. Never once have I compromised my integrity, and regardless of today’s hard losses it’s something I can hold onto.

  A figure forms in the flames. Even with so much of myself fading I can sense the power and darkness the figure holds. I’m about to surrender to my impending doom as the most peculiar thing happens.

  Everything stops. Now I can freeze things, that’s easy—but a full on time stop? To my knowledge that’s impossible...

  Nothing moves and I begin to wonder if this is just what dying feels like. Is this what happens?

  Then I see Maddy. Beside her stand the leaders of Aether and Abyssus—and they don’t seem happy. I’d cry, but after being bled out the dehydration is too mighty. Even if this is the end of me, it won’t be the end of everything and that makes it all worth it.

  Maddy rushes over and gently removes the tape from my mouth. “Oh, Lettie, what has he done to you?”

  I have no strength left to answer, much less get up. I point my eyes to the ma
t of antiquities instead because Maddy will know what’s happening the second she sees them.

  She follows my gaze and tsks her tongue. “Fix her, please.” She asks her companions.

  It surprises me when both leaders approach. The glows of their energy are different, but they’re both powerful. It doesn’t take long before I begin to feel better. I warm up and can wiggle my fingers and toes again. Soon I feel completely back to my old self. Even the cut above my heel is gone.

  “How?” I manage.

  “It took some doing.” Maddy says proudly as she embraces me with more force than her small body should possess, “but it seems I figured it out just in time.”

  “What is this?” The leader of Aether asks. “Is it?”

  “Yes.” The leader of Abyssus confirms. “It is.”

  Both of their frowns deepen.

  “Maddy, you and Lettie may watch from up there where it’s safe.” The leader of Abyssus points and the leader of Aether nods his consent.

  As soon as Maddy and I are in the clear the two powerful beings allow time to recommence. Elias glances behind him and his look of triumph quickly changes to first confusion and then fear. He even turns his back on the figure still in the shadows of the flames of the fire it spawns from, but says nothing.

  “This should be interesting.” The figure says as it comes into view. It’s a man, nothing too distinguishable about him... older, but not elderly... not too handsome, but not ugly.

  It’s the power in his presence that makes him both compelling and repulsive all at once.

  Elias says nothing and immediately I know his conundrum. He doesn’t know where the chips will fall, so he’s hesitant to take a firm stance. If he sides with the figure and they lose, his punishment will be more severe. I mean, it’ll suck even if he cooperates, but maybe they’ll knock a century off or something. But if he cooperates and figure guy wins, Elias will have to answer to him and to be honest he doesn’t strike me as a super forgiving sort of fellow.

  I just saw the two leaders stop freaking time, so I know where I’m placing my bets.

  The figure walks on, past Elias and faces the two leaders head on. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “I can’t believe the nerve of you to return.” The leader of Abyssus spits out.

  “I was summoned.” The figure points out and nods to Elias. “By one of yours, ironically enough.” He points to the leader of Aether.

  “Or so I’d thought.” The leader of Aether says sadly. “But he’s mine no more.”

  Though Elias surely must have known this would happen, the flinch in his shoulders at the words is visible even from here.

  “I’m here for a purpose. I suppose you’ll try to stop me.” The figure continues.

  “We have no choice.” The leader of Abyssus says. “And this time there’ll be no coming back, no second chances.” His words denote his sadness.

  “Thanks, Dad. I missed you, too.” The sarcasm is thick.

  I suppose without the drama with my own father it’d be a shocker, but as it stands it actually makes me feel a little normal for once.

  “You can’t end everything.” The leader of Abyssus says in frustration. “It’s completely counter-productive.”

  “I can, and I will.” The figure begins to glow. The earth begins to tremble.

  The two leaders exchange a look. They flatten their palms to meet the others’ while they extend their free hands before them to face the danger. The brightest light I’ve ever seen begins to pour from their hands, but it doesn’t hurt to watch—it’s magnificent.

  At first the awe of it all, how surreal it is makes it hard to do anything but watch. It’s not until the figure continues forward, albeit with great difficulty, and the leaders’ light seems to dim slightly that Maddy tells me to go help them.

  My power is surely nothing in comparison, but I refuse to have any iota of a chance that Elias could come out of this on top. I poof behind the leaders and channel my abilities as I have before. It’s easy now, and with the added powers from the leaders of darkness and light, I thrum. I add in the rage, loss, joy, sadness. I add in every last part of me that there is to give and clasp my hands over their joined pair.

  The light burns brighter, hotter, until it releases a loud bang. It feels like an explosion, but only the target appears hurt. In fact, only his clothing and scorch marks on the ground remain.

  “Is it over?” I ask softly.

  “Almost.” The leader of Aether nods towards Elias.

  Karma

  The swallow Elias makes is both audible and visible. Maddy joins us while the two leaders talk softly amongst themselves a few steps away. I notice Elias begin to slowly shuffle away. Before I can say a thing the leader of Abyssus snaps his fingers and Elias literally freezes—with frost and everything. It looks very uncomfortable and I applaud the choice internally.

  “We have much to discuss.” The leader of Abyssus says.

  “And much to fix,” The leader of Aether adds.

  “But first, we determine his fate.” The leader of Abyssus demands.

  “You may have this one if I get one of my own choosing.”

  “Deal.” The leader of Abyssus faces Elias now. “This is a mere precursor to your fate for eternity. For your acts of treachery you will freeze in the deepest, iciest part of hell forever.”

  Even through the sheen of the ice it’s possible to see the fear in Elias’ eyes. Within a nanosecond there’s a poof of smoke and Elias is gone once and for all.

  It feels pretty good, I won’t lie... only, there’s still this void within me. It hasn’t helped nearly as much as I’d hoped, to be honest.

  All the hurt is still there.

  “Come, there’s much to do.” The leader of Aether says.

  The next thing I know we’re all outside Elias’ compound in the Everglades, the transition seamless. The scene that surrounds us leaves me speechless and hurts my heart. The battle was fierce with heavy losses on both sides.

  “Come forward and be judged.” The leader of Abyssus booms.

  “All of you.” The leader of Aether adds with more kindness.

  Some eyes widen, while others approach with no fear, full of righteousness. I see Shay, but not Max. I don’t see my mom, Gabe, or Jack anywhere at all and begin to worry. Maddy must sense it, because she rests a calming hand on my shoulder from behind me.

  The leader of Abyssus grins, but it’s not a nice smile. “First and foremost,” he snaps his fingers and every single body—alive, dead, or otherwise—on Elias’ side disappears. “I’ll deal with them later.” His tone sends shivers down my spine. “Your turn.” He says to the leader of Aether.

  He takes a moment to look around at everyone before he begins. “Each and every one of you, despite your origins, has proven yourselves. Through a time of uncertainty when you surely could’ve went astray, you held true to you integrity and faiths.”

  As he speaks more and more come out of the woods until I realize practically everyone from Vitamartis and beyond is now here, good and evil alike.

  “Both of us may lead differently, but we both owe you all a debt of gratitude. Without your help and perseverance all of this would’ve ended very differently. Your actions have not gone unnoticed and will be taken into account.” He smiles. “Before we begin, Lettie, do you have anything to add?”

  Um... “I guess.” Speeches aren’t really my thing, but I suppose I do have something to say as I step forward and clear my throat. “You’ve all done so much that I can’t begin to thank you.” I start and take a deep breath, hoping my words won’t be misconstrued. “And you’ve all come so far that I can’t tell you how proud of you I am.” I rush to continue at their looks of confusion. “Not too long ago all of you were fighting, constantly and for a very long time. These last weeks and today especially you all stood together, united against a common enemy. You set aside your differences and that shows hope, if you ask me. Hope for a better future for all of us. Thank yo
u. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

  The clapping begins and I finally notice Shay, holding my mom in the crowd with Jack and Gabe flanking them both. Max stands by Gabe and the crowd parts as they begin to make their way up to me.

  “Ada, what a wonderful place to begin,” the leader of Aether says with sincerity.

  “I agree,” adds the leader of Abyssus with a gentle tone that shocks me. It appears my mother retains the respect of both gentlemen.

  “Ada, I feel your sentence has been served, and what’s more with recent events that perhaps it was improper to begin with.” The leader of Aether says.

  “Though I’ve loved having you, I agree.” The leader of Abyssus says.

  “So you tell us, dear Ava, what you’d prefer.”

  Mom seems to think it over for a moment before she replies. “I’d like access to Aether, Abyssus, and the like... but I’d prefer to spend the bulk of my time here, with Lettie.”

  That’s an option? Hell yeah!

  “Absolutely,” the leader of Abyssus answers quickly. “And perhaps with this new freedom, you can help the two of us,” he motions between himself and the leader of Aether, “communicating better.”

  “You can count on it.” My mom says with a smirk. “And Maddy.”

  “Of course, you two are a team.” The leader of Aether confirms. “Besides, she is the one to break the spell.” He looks to Maddy fondly.

  Mom joins Maddy behind me as the leader of Aether motions for Shay and Gabe to come forward. “You’ve both been loyal and brave. Come heal your weariness.” They each place a palm on the leader’s hands and instantly look revived. I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you both.”

  The leader of Abyssus studies Jack and waves him to us. “You’re special and despite your lineage, you’re Lettie’s family. You wish to stay with her?”

  “Aye,” Jack nods. “Nice to have some kin, eh?”

  “Join her,” the leader of Aether grants.

  Overall Max is in good shape as the leader of Aether smiles upon him. “Go, join your family.”